I was looking forward to seeing Epic, the new Disney movie, with my daughter in a way I hadn’t looked forward to a kid’s movie in a long time. But in truth, I’m becoming disappointed in the premise of the “epic” story of good vs. evil. That ongoing war we keep fighting over and over and that no one ever really wins.
Books & Movies
Michael Pollan’s Cooked: A Review
SPOILER! Michael Pollan finally discovers BBQ! It might have taken him a little bit longer than the rest of us out in the sticks, but we’re glad he finally did. America’s authentic culture of food gets a nice little spotlight shone on it in the first chapter of his latest book, Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation.
Why We Write Romance Novels
by guest blogger Maya Rodale. I’m currently at work on my eighth novel (!), and I’m finding that each book is more challenging than the last to write. But all the crazy events in the past few weeks reminded me why I stick with it. With each book, I put a little more happiness into the world.
Spring Healing Through the Arts
by guest blogger Pam Peeke. Healers come in many forms, from traditional doctors and nurses to complementary practitioners like acupuncturists, yoga instructors, and massage therapists. There’s now plenty of science to show a whole range of positive benefits from regular use of each of these modalities. Flash-forward to the present and we’re witnessing the emergence of a whole new group of healers—artists.
Lean In and Lead With Swagger
by guest blogger Maya Rodale. I like to think that I’m one tough, empowered chick, so you can imagine my surprise when I discovered that I was not, in fact, leaning in. This became apparent as I read Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead. It’s an excellent book that perfectly blends personal stories, research, and suggested solutions. It’s also a real eye-opener. As I read, I reviewed experiences in my own career and discovered that there were times when I did lean in (yay, me!) but there were also times when I pulled back.
The Year of Daring Greatly
The best book I read in 2012 was Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown. But 2013 is the year I’m going to put Brown’s discoveries into action. I think some people would say (including myself) that I’ve done my share of daring greatly—with both success and failure. I’ve certainly had my share of critics. But what is truly wonderful about Brene Brown’s book is that, as a PhD researcher, she has been able to help me understand how and why I do what I do, and why it’s good to do even more of it.
The Dangers & Delights of Downton Abbey
by guest blogger Maya Rodale. My mother, who has forced me to stay up past my bedtime to watch PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre (now called Masterpiece) all my life, has not seen Downton Abbey. Neither has my history-obsessed English husband. But why I ask, desperately. How can you not watch the masterpiece of all Masterpiece Theatres?! Interestingly enough, they both gave the same answer: fear.
My favorite Christmas Music
by guest blogger Maya Rodale. My listening to Christmas music is usually limited to whatever is playing in the shops or whatever is on the soundtrack to holiday-themed romantic comedies, which means it’s basically limited to that Mariah Carey song (you know the one I’m talking about!). But these are the very few that I have purchased and played around the house to get into the spirit of things…
Scratch
Raised on America’s first organic farm, Scratch author Maria Rodale learned how to make everyday favorites from, yes, scratch — the way you remember them; the way they turn out best.
Order NowOrganic Manifesto
Drawing on findings from leading health researchers as well as conversations with both chemical and organic farmers from coast to coast, Maria Rodale irrefutably outlines the unacceptably high cost of chemical farming on our health and our environment.
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